June 2002

Saturday, June 1 — Imperial Area

Chuck Tague (412-488-8760) of the Nature Observer News will lead this outing to the Imperial grasslands area. Allow 30 minutes driving time from Pittsburgh. Meet at the King’s Restaurant at the Imperial exit of Route 22 at 7:30 AM. The Imperial grassland is a large area of reclaimed strip mines that has provided the only areas in Allegheny County where one can reliably find grassland species such as Grasshopper, Savannah, Henslow's, and Vesper Sparrows, along with Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, Northern Harrier, and Short-eared Owls. In addition, the ponds have produced good shorebird sightings and the entire area has seen its share of rarities. A visit to this area at any time of year can produce some surprising sightings.

Saturday, June 8 — Laurel Mountain

Meet leader Mike Fialkovich at the Dairy Queen off the Donegal exit off the Pennsylvania Turnpike at 7:30 AM. After passing through the toll booths, turn left onto RT. 31 East. Proceed about 1/4 mile and the Dairy Queen will be on the left. Allow one hour driving time from Pittsburgh. The focus of a trip to Laurel Mountain at this time of year will be on the breeding species, including many of Pennsylvania's most spectacular warblers, such as Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Canada, Black-throated Blue, and Hooded. No outing to Laurel Mountain would be complete without a walk on Spruce Flat Bog, where there are carnivorous plants such as Pitcher Plant and Sundew, and where we can possibly hear the beautiful song of the Hermit Thrush. Wear good hiking shoes and bring a drink and snacks for an extended hike along Wolf Rocks Trail, which is level but a little rocky. Bring a lunch so that we can all eat lunch at the picnic area and watch birds as we eat.